Machine to pierce twenty holes in a wheel hub sheel for long spokes



Feb. 13, 1934. H. TORMYN EIAL 1,946,992

MACHINE TO PIERCE TWENTY HOLES IN A WHEEL HUB SHELL FOR LONG SPOKES Filed July 29. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gym/00mm Feb. 13, 1934. H. TORMYN El AL MACHINE TO PIERCE TWENTY HOLES IN A WHEEL HUB SHELL FOR LONG SPOKES Filed July 29. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw w Feb. 13, 1934. H. TORMYN El AL 1,946,992

MACHINE TO PIERCE TWENTY HOLES IN A WHEEL HUB SHELL FOR LONG SPOKES Filed July 29. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 g #1 ii F" -"*I I v I Feb. 13, 1934. F ToRMY-N r AL 1,946,992

MACHINE TO PIERCE TWENTY HOLES IN A WHEEL HUB SHELL FOR LONG SPOKES Filed July 29. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gmwww Patented Feb. 13, 1934 V ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE T PIERCE TWENTY HOLES IN A WHEEL HUB SHELL FOR LONG SPOKES Herman Tormyn and Frank F. Wiethoff, Detroit,

Mich., assignors to General Motors Corpora- Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of wire wheels and is concerned principally with the machine or die to pierce in a wheel hub shell twenty holes for the long spokes. The die of I the present invention is one of ten dies and in sequence of operation it follows the die described and claimed in our copending application, Serial No. 625,992, filed July 29, 1932.

The die of the invention is mounted in a 19 conventional press and comprises a lower die shoe and an upper die shoe reciprocable relative to the lower shoe. The metal wire wheel hub is placed in the lower die and definitely positioned therein by means of a lo- 15 cater. A plurality of cams and punch holders mounted in the die shoe are brought into action by the descent of the top shoe and punches mounted in the holders punch the long spoke openings in the smaller portion of the wire wheel hub. When the top shoe rises the holders and punches are forced upward by spring acting plungers and the cams at the same time withdraw the shoes and punches on the hub. A head comprising a plurality of expandible backing members backs the inside of the hub when the punches are acting. The press has a throwout mechanism which causes it to stop after each operation so that the operator may remove the punched wheel hub and insert a new one.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of the press with the die installed.

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detailed View through the die of the press with the parts in their lowermost position showing the punches in action.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detailed view similar to Figure 3 but showing the parts in separated relation after the punches have punched the spoke holes.

Figure 5 is a plan view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4, the parts broken away clearer to illustrate the structure.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the elements of the expandible head.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates the machine or press of the invention as a whole. The press comprises the upright frame so at the upper portion of which an electric motor 4 is mounted. The motor has the driving pulley 6 which drives a belt 8 which in turn drives a flywheel 10 rigidly mounted on the axle 12 which extends across the frame of the machine and 56 at the opposite side has a gear wheel (not shown) mounted thereon which meshes with and drives the large gear 14 rigidly mounted on the shaft 16 having a crank 18 intermediate its ends. The crank 18 has attached thereto the connecting rod 20 which operates the crosshead 22 suitably attached to the top shoe 24 of the die. The lower die shoe is indicated at 26 and a part thereof is resiliently mounted on the ends of the pressure pins 32 resting on a lower plate 30. Suitable pins 28 connect the plate 30 with a 5 plate 34 secured to a piston rod 33 having a piston operating in an air cylinder 35 to form an air cushion. The pressure pins 36 abut at their lower ends against the plate 30 and at the upper ends against the bottom of the slide holder 38 (Figures 3 and 4). This structure gives a resilient mounting to the slide holder.

A handle 40 operating a linkage system 42 operates a suitable clutch (not shown) which causes the small gear on the end of the shaft 12 to be engaged with the shaft and to rotate the gear 14. After one operation of the punch a suitable throw-out mechanism will throw the clutch out of engagement with the gear. This mechanism is not shown but is conventional and well known in the art. A suitable brake drum is shown at 44 having brake shoes 46 operated from a suitable linkage 48.

The parts so far described are conventional and are well known in the art of presses. 5 Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that the lower or die shoe comprises the relatively flat plate 50 and the upper annular section 52. The annular section 52 has openings 54 at diametrically opposite points at which there is 9 received the guide rod 56 which is adapted to slidein a bushing 58 permanently mounted in openings 60 in the top die 24. The upper section 52 has ten fiat surfaces as indicated at 62 in Figure 5 and against each fiat surface there is secured the cam block 64. The cam blocks are held in place by means of bolts (not shown) which pass from the outer periphery of the section 52 into the blocks. Each cam block has the inclined T-shaped groove 66 substantially at its mid portion and in each groove there is slidably mounted a T-shaped head 68 of a punch holder 70. The punch holders are held in the slide holder 38 slidably mounted as at '74 in an annular portion of the upper section 52. The slide holder 38 has an annular projection '76 which cooperates with an annular projection '78 on the upper section 52 to limit the upper movement of the slide holder. The slide holder has grooves 80in which the punch holders 70 slide. Each punch holder 70 has a tongue or rib 82 which fits into the groove 80. The punch holders are shaped in plan as shown in Figure 5 and are spaced at their front ends for the reception of bolts 84 which secure in position a retaining ring 86 and between the ring 86 and the slide holder 38 the punch holders 70 are slidably mounted. The inner periphery of the ring 86 is shaped as at 88 to receive the wheel hub 90. The wheel hub has the smaller portion 92 extending inwardly of the lower die shoe 26 and a locator 94 is positioned on top of the ring 86 and has a spring pressed pin 96- which fits in one of the openings for the short spokes made from the machine described in the copending application Serial No. 625,990, filed'July 29, 1932. This locator definitely positions the wheel hub so that the openings 98 for the long spokeswill be in a definite interrelation to the openings for the short spokes. means of machine screws 102 is positioned on top of the upper section 52 and aids in holding the cam blocks 64 in place.

At the'center of the lower die shoe there is mounted the elongated cam 104 the purpose of which is to separate the segments 106 of the expandible head 108. The cam 104 has the grooves 110 and a plurality of ribs 112 to receive and guide the segments 106 so that they are equally spaced when they expand. Suitable bevelled portions 114and 116 contact simultaneously with suitable bevelled surfaces 118 and 120, respectively, on the segments 106 properly to expand the segments. The segments will therefore dwell afterpassing the cam surfaces 114 and 116 on their downward movement.

A ring member 122 is centrally secured on the lower plate 500i the die shoe and the cam 104 is rigidly mounted in the ring 122. Suitable tapered openings 124in the ring 122'cooperate with openings 126 in the flat portion 50 of the die shoe to allow the punched portions of metal to fall to the baseof themachine.

Each punch holder '70 has two pimches 128 mounted therein thepunches being held in position by set screws 130 secured in threaded openingsl32 provided in the punch holders.

The upper or expandible head 108 is composed of the ten segments 106 to each of which there isseoured the hardened wear member 134. Each member 134 and its segment 106 is provided with twopassages 136 which register with the punches 128 when the punches are" acting on the wheelhub 90. The segments 106 are of the shape shown in Figure 6 and have the upper flange or extension 138' by means of which they are held to the top die 24 through the intermediary of a retainer ring 140 having an annular portion' 142 which extends under the flanges or extensions 138. The position of the segments 106 in their retracted position is shown in Figure 4 from which it will be noted that there are spaces'144 between the retainer ring 140 and the. segments. These spaces will allow for the expansion: of the segments 106.

The retaining ring 140 is secured to the ring plate. 146 by means of the retaining ring 148 and the machine'bolts 150. Other machine bolts 152 secure'the ring plate 146 to the'top die 24. The retaining ring 148' has the annular flange 154 which strikes against the ring 86 of the slide holder 38 when the top die descends on the lower die. A suitable recess 156 is provided in the flange 154 to accommodate the locator 94.

The ring plate 146 is provided with text recesses 158 in each-of which thereextends a pin A retaining ring 100 secured'by- 160 secured to each segment 106. A coil spring 162 is positioned in each recess 158 between the pin 160 and the end of the recess and constantly urges the pin and segment toward the center. The retainer ring 140 has ten recesses 164 and one coil spring 166 is positioned in each recess and presses a plunger 168 against the segment 106. The springs 166 cooperate with the springs 162 to urge the segments 106 inwardly.

The top of each segment 106 is provided with a tongue or rib 170 which fits in a corresponding groove in the ring plate 146 properly to guide the segments 106 in their movement. Each segment 106 is also provided with the inclined portion 118 at its lower end to cooperate with the inclined portion 114 on the cam 104.

The operation of the device is as follows: Considering first Figure 4 (which is the position of the parts before the operation commences) it will be understood that the operator previously has placed the wheel hub 90 in the die shoe. The locator 94 will press the pin 96 in one of the spoke openings and properly position the hub. The operator now moves the handle 40 to throw in the clutch to bring the machine in operation. The top die 24 will now descend and when the portions 118 and 120 strike the inclined portions 114 and 116 of the cam 104 (this action being simultaneous) the segments 1060f the expandible head will expand, the segments then being pressed against the inside of the lower or narrow portion 92 of the hub. This will bring the passages 136 in register with the punches 128. Further downward movement of the head will cause the flange 154 to press against the ring 86 to force theslide holder 38 downward against the pressure on the pins 36. This downward movement of the slide holder 38 will cause the T-head connection 66 and 68 between the cam block 64 and the punch holder '70 to force the punch holders toward the center and cause the punches to punch out the spoke openings, as shown in Figure 3. The lower portion of the hardened members 134 have a shape shown at 1'72 to cooperate with the interior shape of the lower portion of the hub. This cooperative relation is shown in Figure 8. The punched piece of metal shown at 174 in Figure 3 will fall through the passage 136 into the conical passage 124 and through the passage 126 to the base of the machine. The top die 24 will now rise and allow the pins 36 to push the slide holders 38 upward and cause the T-head connection 66, 68' to pull the punch holders rearwardly to pull the punches from the spoke openings. As the top plate continues to ascend the inclined portions 118, 120 will reach the inclined portions 114 and 116 and allow the springs 162 and 166 to pressthe segments 106 inwardly to the position shown in Figure 4.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a plurality of cams mounted on said shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted insaid shoe, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder and having a part thereof in engagement with and operated from said cams, punches mounted in said punch holders, a wheel hub adapted to be received in said holder, a reciprocable top die, the downward movement of said top die pushing said slide holder downward and causing the cams to act to push the punch holders inwardly to cause the punches to punch spoke openings in the hub.

2. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a plurality of cams mounted on said shoe,

a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder and having a part thereof in engagement with and operated from said cams, punches mounted in said punch holders, a Wheel hub adapted to be received in said slide holder, a top die, an expandible head on said top die, means to cause said head to expand, the downward movement of said top die causing said means to operate to expand the head against the interior of the wheel and causing the die to push said slide holder downward to cause the cams to act to push the punch holders inwardly to cause the punches to punch spoke openings in the hub.

3. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a plurality of cams mounted on said shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe, punch holders mounted in said slide holder and engaging said cams, punches mounted in said holders, means definitely to position a wheel hub in said slide holder relative to said punches, a reciprocable top die, a head on said die, said head comprising a plurality of segmental elements, means to cause the expansion of said head elements in the wheel hub on the downward movement of said top die, said downward movement also pushing said slide holder downward and causing the cams to act to push the punch holders inward to cause the punches to punch spoke openings in the hub.

4. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocable slide holder adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said slide holder, punches in said punch holders to punch holes in said wheel hub, means to operate said punch holders, a reciprooable head comprising a plurality of segments, means for resiliently holding said segments together, means for expanding said segments in the wheel hub opposite said punches, and means on the head to allow the punches to operate and to remove the punched out material, the reciprocation of said head causing the reciprocation of said slide holder to cause the operation of the punch holders and punches.

5. In a machine of the class described for punching a plurality of holes for the long spokes of a wire wheel hub, as a sub-combination, an expandible head reciprocable relative to said wheel hub, said head composed solely of a plurality of bodily slidable segments, said segments defining a central opening adapted to receive a cam to expand the head, means resiliently urging said segments toward each other, and means to allow the said segments to move outwardly away from their center.

6. In a machine of the class described for punching a plurality of holes for the long spokes of a wire wheel hub, as a sub-combination, an expandible head reciprocable relative to said wheel hub, said head composed solely of a plurality of bodily slidable segments, said segments defining a central opening adapted toreceive a cam to expand the head, means resiliently urging said segments toward each other, means to allow the said segments to move outwardly away from their center, and a hardened wear resisting element on each of said segments at their place of contact with the work.

7. In a machine of the class described for punching a plurality of holes for the long spokes of a wire wheel hub, an annular die shoe, a plurality of cam elements rigidly mounted on said shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe adjacent said cam elements, a plurality of punch holders slidably mounted in said slide holder, said punch holders engaging said cam elements and operated thereby, and a plurality of punches mounted in said holders.

8. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punches mounted in said punch holders, means to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocable relative to the lower die, an expandible head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, and means to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said last named means to expand the head to back the hub.

9. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punches mounted in said punch holders, means .to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocable relative to the lower die, an expandible head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, and a cam mounted on the die shoe to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said cam to expand the head to back the hub.

10. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, an annular slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder entirely therearound, punches I15 mounted in said punch holders, means on the die shoe arranged concentrically with the slide holder to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocal relative to the lower die, a cylindrically shaped expandible'head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, and means to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said last named means to expand the head to back the hub.

11. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punches mounted in said punch holders, means to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocable relative to the lower die, an expandible head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, means to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said last named means to expand the head to back the hub, and a hardened wear member on each segment adapted to contact with the wheel hub when the machine is operated.

12. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe ilO and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punches mounted in said punch holders, means to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocablerelativeto the lower die, an expandiblehead on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated,-means to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said last named means to expand the head to back the hub, and a hardened wear member on each segment adapted to contact with the wheel hub when the machine is operated, said wear members and segments having openings to receive the punch ends and the punched out pieces of metal when the machine is operated.

13. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punches mounted in said punch holders, means to operate said punchholders, a top die reciprocable relative to the lower die, an expandible head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, means to expand the head,the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said last named means to expand the head to back the hub, and a hardened wear member on each segment adapted to contact with the wheel hub to receive the punch ends and the punched out pieces of metal when the machine is operated, said machine having a plurality of passages to receive the punched out pieces of metal and conduct them away from the operative parts of the machine.

14. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punchers mounted in said punch holders, a plurality of cams on the die shoe adjacent the holder slide to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocable relative to the lower die, an expandible head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, and means to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said cams to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said means to expand the head to back the hub.

15. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, an annular slide holder slidably mounted in said shoe and adapted to receive a wheel hub, a plurality of punch holders mounted in said slide holder, punches mounted in said punch holders, means on the die shoe to operate said punch holders, a top die reciprocable relative to the lower die, an expandible head on said top die expandible within the hub to back the hub on the inside when the punches are operated, and means on the die shoe to expand the head, the reciprocation of said top die causing the movement of the slide holder to cause said first named means to force the punch holders toward the hub to punch the spoke openings therein, the reciprocation of said top die also causing said last named means to expand the head to back the hub.

HERMAN TORMYN. FRANK F. WIETHOFE. 

